The wind just won’t leave Malta alone this month! The final week of January is shaping up to be another blustery one, with strong to gale-force winds expected to dominate weather conditions across Malta and Gozo.

Winds are expected to hit gale force 8 today, Monday 26th January, through to tomorrow, before easing slightly (force 5-6) midweek. But don’t drop your guard after that: strong winds are forecast to pick up again from Thursday through Friday.

By Friday evening, conditions should calm slightly (and we do mean slightly), with winds dropping to force 6–7, a level expected to persist throughout the weekend. Isolated showers are also on the cards from Friday to Sunday, keeping things unsettled.

In fact, the Civil Protection Department (CPD) has confirmed that a Yellow Weather Warning is in effect across the Maltese Islands for today, Monday 26th January.

Weather conditions worsened during the early hours of this morning (between 1:00am and 4:00am), with winds strengthening overnight and throughout the day.

The CPD is urging the public to take extra precautions, just as they did during Storm Harry last week: securing loose or outdoor objects, staying alert to rapidly changing weather conditions, following official advisories and instructions and call 112 only in the case of emergencies.

As many experienced just last week, rough seas come hand-in-hand with gale-force winds, and sea travel has already been affected. The Valletta Fast Ferry to Gozo has been cancelled for the entire day, while Virtu Ferries has cancelled its afternoon crossings between Malta and Pozzallo. The only operating trips today are:

• Depart Malta: 06:30 – Arrive Pozzallo: 08:15 (scheduled)
• Depart Pozzallo: 10:00 – Arrive Malta: 11:45 (amended)

So far, no cancellations or delays have been announced by Gozo Channel, which continues to operate between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr Harbour, but if you plan on crossing, plan for delays which are often inevitable in rough conditions.

As always, stay safe, stay informed – and maybe hold onto your hats!